Lee Westwood

This is Dubai, and bling is back. If you want to get the attention of a millionaire golfer you have to go big. The Dubai Desert Classic has gone bigger than any tournament on earth with a record jackpot for a hole-in-one at the 17th, a cool $2.5 million (£1.5m). Even Rory McIlroy is interested.

Luke Donald saw his world No 1 dream cruelly snatched away on the third hole of sudden death at The Heritage last night. But English golf could still go to bed content in the knowledge that one of theirs would be heading the rankings when they are published this morning. Lee Westwood, and his many admirers, will feel he is back where he belongs.

As Lee Westwood set off to complete his second round of the Indonesian Masters this morning the world No 1 crown was in tantalising focus. He was tied for the lead yesterday when lightning provided what British golf will hope was only a pause in his charge.

Luke Donald's and Lee Westwood's race to become world No 1 began in promising style yesterday as both shot rounds of four-under to feature high on their respective leaderboards. Certainly Martin Kaymer would have harboured a sense of foreboding at the form of the two Englishmen.

Britain has two shots at reclaiming golf's world No 1 crown these next four days. Lee Westwood and Luke Donald may be playing in different hemispheres but their objective is the same – win a tournament and displace Martin Kaymer at the top of the rankings.

Expect the unexpected. That was Lee Westwood's message for the climax of the 75th Masters. And he should know. With 27 holes to play last year, he was cruising around here, taking a five-shot lead into Amen Corner. Then crash, bang, wallop. Phil Mickelson exploded into action with an eagle at the 13th, eagle at the 14th and birdie at the 15th. Westwood's lead was gone in a heartbeat. But the lesson he learned is that there is no lead that can't be pegged back at The Masters – especially on Sunday, when pulses are racing, the roars are echoing through the pines, and the brains of rookies and veterans alike can be turned to scrambled eggs.

With the Masters due to start this week, British fans will be optimistic that a player from our shores can gatecrash the tournament in Augusta - something that hasn’t been done since Nick Faldo in 1996. In fact, there hasn’t even been a European winner in 12 years - a bit of glory is long overdue.

America's focus will inevitably fall on the groupings involving Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, but in terms of the world rankings there is only one marquee pairing in the first two rounds of the Masters. Martin Kaymer, the world No 1, will face off with the No 2, Lee Westwood.